Simple Ways to Make Weeknight Family Dinners Feel a Little More Special

Do your weeknight dinners feel more like a pit stop than a family meal?

Between school drop-off/pick-up, work phone calls and homework fights … dinner time often becomes a race. People grab a plate and wolf it down in 5 minutes and fly-off in all directions.

Here’s the problem:

Eat and runs are opportunities lost. Dinner time is one of the few times your family can slow down and have a conversation.

The good news?

You don’t have to spend money or countless hours to make improvements. Simple changes can help make Tuesday your family’s favorite day of the week.

Time to dig in!

Here’s what’s on the menu:

• Why Weeknight Dinners Deserve More Attention
• Set The Mood With Better Lighting
• 5x More Simple Ways To Make Dinner Feel Special

Why Weeknight Dinners Deserve More Attention

Family dinner isn’t just about food. It’s about connection.

Studies show it, too. The American Heart Association surveyed families and found that 91% of parents say their family experiences less stress when they eat together.

That’s huge.

Food for Thought: Evenings are the busiest time of stress. Meetings at work, homework deadlines, afterschool sports…the list goes on. Relaxing together over a home cooked meal allows everyone to unwind before bed.

It makes sense, right?

The secret is creating a dinner people WANT to attend. It starts with setting the vibe of the room.

Set The Mood With Better Lighting.

Here’s something most families never think about…

Lighting is everything. Overhead strip lighting turns a dining room into a school cafeteria. Soft ambient lighting makes that same room feel warm and welcoming.

Looking for a statement maker? Start with a black crystal chandelier. The dark silhouette modernizes and dramatizes while crystals cast a soft glow on your dinner guests. Browsing a selection of black and clear crystal chandeliers for the dining room is a lovely way to find a sparkly fixture that fits your space.

Science behind it: A black crystal dining room chandelier creates a focal point in your dining room. Your family focuses on the table (instead of the television in another room).

A few quick lighting tips:

• Hang your chandelier roughly 30-36 inches above the table
• Add a dimmer switch so you can lower the light during dinner
• Use warm white bulbs for a softer glow

Don’t feel like installing a new light fixture? Change out your bulbs for warmer bulbs and light a few candles. You’ll notice a change.

5x More Simple Ways To Make Dinner Feel Special

Lighting sets the stage. Now it’s time to fill it.

Pick a couple of these ideas, try them this week and see what sticks.

Bring Everyone Back To The Table

This sounds obvious… But lots of families don’t actually sit at the table anymore.

Per FMI Foundation, just 45% eat at the table during family meals, down from 51% last year.

Family dinners in front of the TV are convenient but conversation is difficult. Decide as a family that weekday dinners will be at the table. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Tiny tweak. After this they are all facing each other and naturally begin talking.

Put The Phones In A Basket

Phones are the ultimate dinner table distraction.

Set a basket by the dining room door and make everyone throw their phones in it before sitting down.  Parents too!

When people aren’t staring at screens they actually converse. They’ll discuss the hilarious thing that occurred at lunch or how a test went. You’ll hear about that friend drama that has been building all week.

Lost your phone in the kitchen sink?  Played too many games of who sees a notification first?  Here’s how to break that phone addiction forever.

Make sure whoever looks at their phone first has to DO THE DISHES.

DON’T WANT TO LOOK AT YOUR PHONE?  Easy way to avoid.

There you have it. Want to make sure it’s fun? The FIRST person to grab their phone DOES THE DISHES. Nobody wants to be that guy.

Try A Theme Night

Theme nights are an easy way to spice up your weeknight dinners. Kids love them too.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Taco Tuesday: A classic for a reason. Let everyone build their own.
• Breakfast for dinner: Pancakes at 6pm feel like breaking the rules.
• Around the world night: Choose a country, cook an easy dish from that country and locate it on a map.
• Picnic night: Throw a blanket on the living room floor and eat picnic-style.

The food doesn’t need to be fancy. The theme does all the heavy lifting.

Have the kids each pick the theme one week at a time. It will give them something to anticipate, and it will spare you one night a week from hearing, “What’s for dinner?”

Dress Up The Table (Just A Little)

You don’t need fine china to make dinner feel special.

A few small touches go a long way:

• Cloth napkins instead of paper towels
• A small vase of fresh flowers or greenery from the garden
• A couple of candles (placed well out of reach of little hands)

Setting the table shows your family that this meal is important. You go from “eating” to “dining” and everyone will see the difference.

Combine those touches with the warm light from a black crystal chandelier hanging above and your standard kitchen table will instantly look like a restaurant table.

Pretty cool, right?

Give The Kids A Job

Here’s a secret most parents learn the hard way…

Children are much more enthusiastic about dinner if they help prepare it. Assign each child an age appropriate task.

Kids can set the table, fold napkins or wash vegetables. Older kids can stir the sauce, toss an easy salad or plan the menu one night a week.

They stay entertained while you prepare dinner. Plus they will feel proud to tell others about what they created.

Bonus tip: Pose a “question of the night” after everyone is seated. Ask something easy like “What was the highlight of your day?” or “If you could be invisible, where would you go?” It helps spark conversation, even with shy folks.

Clearing The Table

Transforming everyday family dinners into moments everyone craves doesn’t have to cost more money. Nor does it have to take more time. Just small tweaks. Here’s how.

To quickly recap:

• Create ambiance with warm lighting (try a black crystal chandelier for a showstopper focal point)
• Bring everyone back to the table
• Put the phones away
• Try a theme night
• Dress up the table with a few simple touches
• Give the kids a job

You don’t have to start doing all of these tomorrow. Choose one or two this week and start with those.

Because at the end of the day… The meal is only half the magic.

The real magic is who you’re sharing it with.